Handle

Detailed Explanation

Handle represents the gross wagering volume — every dollar bet on every spin, hand, or roll — and is the top-line revenue metric before any wins are paid out. It differs from Drop (money exchanged for chips) because the same chips can be wagered multiple times. A player who buys $1,000 in chips and plays 200 hands of $50 baccarat generates $10,000 in handle despite only dropping $1,000.

Handle is the denominator used in calculating theoretical win: Handle × House Edge = Theoretical Win. Actual Win can vary significantly from theoretical win over short periods due to variance, particularly in baccarat where a single player's outcome can swing a property's daily results by millions of dollars.

For casino operators, tracking handle by game type, time period, and player segment is essential for optimising the gaming floor layout, pricing, and marketing spend.